JP2018128741A - Control device, input system, and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control device, an input system, and a control method which can improve operational feeling given to a user.SOLUTION: A control device according to one embodiment, includes an operation detection part and a drive part. The operation detection part detects operation by a user to an operation surface of a panel having the operation surface. The drive part drives a vibration element attached to the panel to generate vibration on the panel. When the operation is detected by the operation detection part, the drive part drives the vibration element while switching a mode between a first vibration mode and a second vibration mode which are different at least in a part of vibration frequencies, so as to sequentially generate, on the panel, vibration different at least in the part of vibration frequencies.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The disclosed embodiments relate to a control device, an input system, and a control method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an input system that recognizes that an operation on an operation surface of a user's panel is accepted by giving a tactile sensation to the user. In such an input system, when the operation surface of the panel is operated, a technique for generating a click by vibrating a vibration element with a voltage having a waveform obtained by applying an envelope to a sine wave has been proposed (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

JP 2013-109429 A

  However, the conventional input system gives a tactile vibration to the user using a single frequency, and the operation feeling given to the user is not always sufficient, and there is room for improvement in terms of improving the operation feeling given to the user. There is.

  One aspect of the embodiments has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a control device, an input system, and a control method capable of improving the operational feeling given to a user.

  A control device according to an aspect of an embodiment includes an operation detection unit and a drive unit. The operation detection unit detects a user operation on the operation surface of a panel having an operation surface. The driving unit drives a vibration element attached to the panel to generate vibration on the panel. When the operation is detected by the operation detection unit, the drive unit switches the first vibration mode and the second vibration mode in which at least some vibration frequencies are different, and drives the vibration element, At least some vibrations having different frequencies are sequentially generated on the panel.

  According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to provide a control device, an input system, and a control method that can improve the operational feeling given to the user.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an input system according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of panel vibration provided by the control device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device system including the input system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of the vibration elements according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation on the operation surface of the panel by the user. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the menu screen when changing the temporarily selected icon and the vibration applied to the panel by the input system. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the control in the variation mode for the panel of the drive unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the input unit and the display device in the electronic device system according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the control unit of the control device according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the input device according to the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a control device, an input system, and a control method disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by embodiment shown below.

<1. Input system control processing>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an input system 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the input system 1 according to the embodiment includes a panel 10, a vibration element 14, and a control device 20.

  The panel 10 includes a support plate 11, a protective layer 12, and a contact sensor 13, and the contact sensor 13 and the protective layer 12 are sequentially stacked on the support plate 11. The protective layer 12 is formed of, for example, glass or a resin film, and the surface of the protective layer 12 is the operation surface 15 of the panel 10.

  The contact sensor 13 is a sensor that can detect a contact position of the user U on the operation surface 15 of the panel 10 (hereinafter, may be referred to as a user contact position), for example, a capacitive touch panel. It may be a resistance pressure type touch sensor. The vibration element 14 is attached to the front surface or the back surface of the panel 10 and vibrates based on the drive voltage output from the control device 20.

  The control device 20 drives the vibration element 14 to vibrate the panel 10 in response to an operation of the user U on the operation surface 15 of the panel 10 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a user operation). The control device 20 includes an operation detection unit 40 and a drive unit 41.

  The operation detection unit 40 detects a user operation based on the user contact position detected by the contact sensor 13. The drive unit 41 drives the vibration element 14 to vibrate the panel 10 based on the detection result of the user operation by the operation detection unit 40.

  For example, when a user operation is detected by the operation detection unit 40, the drive unit 41 switches between a drive voltage in the first vibration mode and a drive voltage in the second vibration mode that are at least partially different in vibration frequency. The vibration is applied to the vibration element 14 to cause the panel 10 to sequentially generate at least some vibrations having different frequencies.

  Thereby, the vibration of the several different tactile sensation can be given to the user U, and the operation feeling given to the user U can be improved. In the following description, the user operation is described as being performed with the finger 50 of the user U, but may be performed with a stylus pen or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the vibration of the panel 10 provided by the control device 20. As shown in FIG. 2, when the operation detection unit 40 detects the slide operation of the user U, the drive unit 41 drives the vibration element 14 in the first vibration mode and causes the panel 10 to perform the first vibration. Is generated for a certain time or more (time t1 to t2). The slide operation is an operation for moving on the operation surface 15 of the panel 10.

  The first vibration is, for example, vibration with a frequency in the ultrasonic band (band of 20 kHz or higher). The first vibration reduces the frictional force of the operation surface 15 with respect to the finger 50 of the user U, and can give the user U who is performing a slide operation to move the finger 50 on the operation surface 15. Thereby, it is possible to make the user U feel the feeling of being sucked in the direction of the slide operation (hereinafter referred to as sucked feeling).

  Thereafter, the drive unit 41 drives the vibration element 14 in the second vibration mode, and causes the panel 10 to emit the second vibration at a frequency lower than the first vibration for a shorter time (time t2) than the first vibration. ~ T3). The second vibration is, for example, a frequency in a low frequency band (for example, a band of 300 Hz or less), and a click feeling after a feeling of being sucked by the user U's sliding operation of moving the finger 50 on the operation surface 15. Can be given.

  Therefore, for example, when the user U performs a slide operation on a slide button displayed on a display device (not shown), it is possible to give a click feeling after giving a feeling of being sucked. Can be improved.

  Note that the first vibration and the second vibration may be vibrations having at least some frequencies different from each other, and the frequencies of the first vibration and the second vibration are not limited to the above-described example. Moreover, although the slide operation was mentioned as an example of the user operation, the vibration of the panel 10 may be switched between the first vibration and the second vibration in response to the pressing operation on the operation surface 15 and other operations. it can.

  As described above, when detecting a user operation, the control device 20 according to the embodiment drives the vibration element 14 to switch between the first vibration mode and the second vibration mode in which at least some frequencies are different. The panel 10 is sequentially caused to generate at least some vibrations having different frequencies. Therefore, vibrations with different tactile sensations can be sequentially applied to the user U who is operating the operation surface 15 of the panel 10, thereby improving the operational feeling given to the user U.

<2. Configuration of electronic device system>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device system 100 including the input system 1 according to the embodiment. The electronic device system 100 shown in FIG. 3 is, for example, an in-vehicle system mounted on a vehicle, but is not limited to such an example, and may be a computer system including a PC (Personal Computer).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic device system 100 includes an input system 1, a control device 2, and a display device 3. The input system 1 accepts a user operation and notifies the control device 2 of information indicating the user operation. The control device 2 controls the screen displayed on the display device 3 in response to a user operation.

  The input system 1 includes an input unit 9 and a control device 20. As described above, the input unit 9 includes the panel 10 and the plurality of vibration elements 14. Note that the contact sensor 13 of the panel 10 is a sensor that can detect the contact position of the user U with respect to the operation surface 15 of the panel 10 and is a capacitive touch panel as described above. Other contact sensors may be used. For example, when detecting the contact pressure to the operation surface 15 of the user U's panel 10 with the contact sensor 13, the contact sensor 13 can use a resistance pressure type touch sensor.

  The vibration element 14 is attached to the front surface or the back surface of the panel 10. The vibration element 14 is, for example, a piezo element. If the vibration element 14 does not detect the pressure of the user operation on the operation surface 15 of the panel 10 or if the contact sensor 13 is a pressure sensor, vibration is generated. The element 14 may be a linear resonance actuator or the like. Although not shown, the input unit 9 may include an amplification unit that amplifies the drive voltage output from the control device 20 and outputs the amplified drive voltage to the vibration element 14.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of the vibration elements 14 according to the embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the input unit 9 includes four vibration elements 14. Two vibration elements 14 are disposed at both ends of the panel 10. The number of vibration elements 14 is not limited to four, but may be three or less, or may be five or more. For example, one vibration element 14 may be arranged at each end of the panel 10.

  The control device 20 includes a storage unit 21 and a control unit 22. The storage unit 21 stores mode information 30, time information 31, and operation determination information 32. The mode information 30 is, for example, information indicating the type of vibration mode set via an input unit (not shown), and one of the fixed mode and the fluctuation mode is set as the type of vibration mode.

  The fixed mode is a mode in which the panel 10 is vibrated with a fixed vibration pattern in response to a user operation, and the variation mode is a mode in which the panel 10 is vibrated with a vibration pattern according to the state of the user operation.

  The time information 31 is information that defines the generation time of each vibration, and includes information indicating first and second times T1 and T2 described later. The operation determination information 32 is information for determining a user operation, and includes information indicating the first and second threshold values Pth1 and Pth2 with respect to the pressure of the user operation, information indicating a threshold value Dth of the slide operation distance, and the like. .

  The control unit 22 includes an operation detection unit 40 and a drive unit 41. The operation detection unit 40 acquires detection information indicating a contact position of the user U with respect to the operation surface 15 detected by the contact sensor 13, and outputs an output voltage output from the vibration element 14 in a state where the operation detection unit 40 is not driven by the drive unit 41. Get the value. Moreover, the operation detection part 40 detects the contact pressure with respect to the operation surface 15 of the user U based on the value of an output voltage. Further, the operation detection unit 40 acquires the operation determination information 32 stored in the storage unit 21.

  The operation detection unit 40 detects a user operation based on the detection information acquired from the contact sensor 13, the contact pressure obtained from the voltage output from the vibration element 14, and the operation determination information 32 acquired from the storage unit 21. To do.

  The operation detection unit 40 can detect various user operations such as a pressing operation and a sliding operation on the operation surface 15 of the user U. When the contact sensor 13 is a pressure sensor, the operation detection unit 40 acquires information indicating the contact pressure from the contact sensor 13 to the operation surface 15 of the user U without using the output voltage of the vibration element 14. You can also

  The operation detection unit 40 has a pressing operation on the operation surface 15 of the user U when the contact position of the user U with respect to the operation surface 15 is continuously at the same position and the contact pressure is equal to or higher than the first threshold value Pth1. Can be determined.

  In addition, the operation detection unit 40 operates the user's U operation surface when the contact position of the user U with respect to the operation surface 15 moves more than the threshold value Dth in a state where the contact pressure with respect to the operation surface 15 of the user U is equal to or more than the second threshold value Pth2. It can be determined that there is a slide operation to 15. Note that the operation detection unit 40 can also determine that there is a slide operation when the contact position has moved beyond the threshold Dth regardless of the contact pressure.

  When the slide operation is detected by the operation detection unit 40, the drive unit 41 drives the vibration element 14 to generate vibration in the panel 10 in the first vibration mode, and then the panel in the second vibration mode. 10 generates vibrations at least partially different in frequency from the first vibration mode.

  Hereinafter, an example in which the user U performs an operation on the menu screen displayed on the display device 3 using the input system 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device 3, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation performed on the operation surface 15 of the panel 10 by the user U.

  The screen shown in FIG. 5 is a menu screen 65 on which six icons 71 to 76 (hereinafter may be collectively referred to as icons 70) are displayed. The user U can tentatively select one of the icons 71 to 76 by a slide operation on the operation surface 15, and then press the operation surface 15 to confirm the selection of the icon 70.

  In the state shown in FIG. 5, the icon 71 is highlighted with the highlight frame 80, and the icon 71 is temporarily selected. Although the highlight frame 80 is used as the cursor, the cursor may be an arrow image pointing to the icon 70, for example. In this case, the temporarily selected icon 70 can be identified by setting the position of the arrow image to the position corresponding to the temporarily selected icon 70.

  When the user U wants to select the icon 72, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the contact position on the operation surface 15 in the drawing view corresponds to the direction from the icon 71 to the icon 72 (here, the right direction). By moving to the threshold value Dth or more, the operation detection unit 40 of the control device 20 detects the right-side slide operation of the user U. When the operation detection unit 40 of the control device 20 detects a rightward slide operation, the operation detection unit 40 outputs information indicating the rightward slide operation to the control device 2.

  When the control device 2 receives information indicating the rightward sliding operation from the control device 20 of the input system 1, the control device 2 displays a menu screen 66 including an animation image in which the highlight frame 80 moves from the icon 71 to the icon 72 on the display device 3. Let

  On the other hand, the control device 20 of the input system 1 adjusts to the animation image in which the emphasis frame 80 moves in a state where the movement amount on the operation surface 15 exceeds the threshold value Dth and the rightward sliding operation is continued. The panel 10 is vibrated in the first vibration mode for a time T1 of one. Thereafter, the panel 10 is vibrated in the second vibration mode for the second time T2 from the timing when the movement of the emphasis frame 80 to the icon 72 is completed.

  Accordingly, the user U can properly grasp the state in which the temporarily selected icon 70 has shifted from the icon 71 to the icon 72 and the state in which the temporary selection of the icon 72 has been completed. The operational feeling can be improved. Hereinafter, such processing will be described more specifically with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the menu screen when changing the temporarily selected icon 70 and the vibration applied to the panel 10 by the input system 1. Note that only the icons 71 and 72 are displayed on the menu screens 65a to 65d shown in FIG.

  After the user U touches the operation surface 15 of the panel 10 at time t10 shown in FIG. 7, when the user U moves the contact position of the panel 10 with respect to the operation surface 15 in the right direction, the amount of movement becomes the threshold value Dth. At time t <b> 11, the operation detection unit 40 detects the sliding operation of the user U, and outputs information indicating the sliding operation in the right direction to the control device 2.

  When the operation detection unit 40 detects the slide operation of the user U, the drive unit 41, based on the time information 31 stored in the storage unit 21, the time t12 when the first time T1 (for example, 50 ms) elapses from the time t11. Until this time, the drive voltage Vo1 in the first vibration mode is output to each vibration element 14. The drive voltage Vo1 is a sine wave voltage having an ultrasonic band frequency (for example, 30 kHz). When the drive voltage Vo1 is applied to each vibration element 14, each vibration element 14 has an ultrasonic band frequency. The panel 10 vibrates and generates ultrasonic vibrations.

  When the panel 10 vibrates ultrasonically, the frictional force of the operation surface 15 on the user U can be reduced using the squeeze effect. The squeeze effect is that when the operation surface 15 is ultrasonically vibrated by the vibration element 14, the air is drawn between the finger 50 of the user U and the operation surface 15 due to pressure fluctuation caused by the vibration, and an air layer is formed. This refers to a phenomenon in which the frictional resistance between the finger 50 and the operation surface 15 is relatively low compared to when there is no vibration.

  Thus, in the first vibration mode, the frictional force of the operation surface 15 with respect to the finger 50 of the user U can be reduced. Therefore, the frictional force of the operation surface 15 can be changed by the movement up to the threshold value Dth immediately after the user U starts the sliding operation and the movement after the threshold value Dth, and the user U feels that the sliding operation is accepted. Can be grasped by.

  Further, since the frictional force of the operation surface 15 is reduced, it is possible to give a tactile sensation that is sucked in the sliding direction of the slide operation of the user U who moves the finger 50 on the operation surface 15. The operational feeling can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the control device 2 includes a plurality of menu screens 65 b to 65 d in which the highlight frame 80 sequentially moves from the icon 71 to the icon 72 in a state where the panel 10 is vibrating in the first vibration mode. A menu screen is generated, and the generated plurality of menu screens are displayed on the display device 3. In the example shown in FIG. 7, menu screens 65b to 65d in which the highlight frame 80 moves in three stages are shown. However, the control device 2 generates a plurality of menu screens in which the highlight frame 80 moves in four or more stages. can do. Further, on the menu screens 65a to 65d shown in FIG. 7, only icons 71 and 72 are displayed for convenience of explanation.

  In this way, the number of menu screens in which the emphasis frame 80 sequentially moves from the icon 71 to the icon 72 is displayed on the display device 3 while the panel 10 is vibrating in the first vibration mode. Therefore, the user U can feel the acceptance of the slide operation in the input system 1 in addition to the tactile sense. The tactile sensation and vision can be combined to give the user U a stronger feeling of being sucked in as if the emphasis frame 80 is sucked from the icon 71 to the icon 72, further increasing the operational feeling given to the user U. Can be improved.

  The drive unit 41 is based on the time information 31 stored in the storage unit 21 until the second time T2 (time t12 to t13) elapses from time t12 after the panel 10 is vibrated in the first vibration mode. During this time, the drive voltage Vo2 in the second vibration mode is output to each vibration element 14.

  The drive voltage Vo2 is a sine wave voltage having a low frequency band frequency (for example, 200 Hz), and the amplitude of the drive voltage Vo2 is higher than the amplitude of the drive voltage Vo1. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the drive voltage Vo2 is a sine wave voltage within two cycles or within three cycles, and when the drive voltage Vo2 is 200 Hz, the second time T2 is 10 ms. When the drive voltage Vo2 is applied to each vibration element 14, each vibration element 14 vibrates at a frequency in a low frequency band, and low frequency vibration is generated in the panel 10. The drive voltage Vo2 is not limited to a sine wave voltage within 2 cycles or within 3 cycles.

  In the second vibration mode, the vibration frequency of the panel 10 is a low frequency, and the vibration is a short time, so that the user U can be given a click feeling. In addition, since the drive voltage Vo2 in the second vibration mode is higher than the drive voltage Vo1 in the first vibration mode, it is possible to give the user U a tactile sensation with high accuracy.

  Furthermore, in the second vibration mode, since the ultrasonic vibration of the panel 10 stops and the frictional force is improved, it is possible to effectively notify the user U that the sliding movement of the emphasis frame 80 has ended. Further, since the vibration frequency of the panel 10 is low and the second time T2 is short, for example, the user U cannot hear the sound generated by the vibration of the panel 10 in the second vibration mode. Can also be suppressed.

  In addition, the control device 20 displays the menu screen 65d on the display device 3 at the timing of time t12 when the vibration of the panel 10 in the first vibration mode is completed. Therefore, the user U can actually feel the completion of acceptance of the temporary selection of the icon 70 in addition to the sense of touch, and can further improve the operational feeling given to the user U.

  The drive unit 41 does not execute the second vibration mode when the operation detection unit 40 does not detect a slide operation or contact with the operation surface 15 of the user U before the first time T1 has elapsed. You can also Thereby, the processing load in the drive part 41 can be reduced.

  When the operation detection unit 40 detects that the user U has touched the operation surface 15, the drive unit 41 reduces the frictional force of the operation surface 15 before detecting the slide operation by the operation detection unit 40. In addition, a sinusoidal voltage having a frequency in the ultrasonic band (for example, 30 kHz) can be applied to each vibration element 14 as the drive voltage Vo3. Thereafter, when the operation detection unit 40 detects the sliding operation of the user U, the driving unit 41 generates a driving voltage Vo1 having a voltage higher than the driving voltage Vo3 (for example, a voltage 1.5 times or more the driving voltage Vo3). By applying it to the element 14, it is possible to improve the slipping feeling in the first vibration mode and to improve the feeling of being sucked.

  In the above-described example, in the second vibration mode, the low frequency band vibration is applied to the panel 10. However, in the second vibration mode, the driving unit 41 performs the ultrasonic band vibration and the low frequency band. It is also possible to give the panel 10 a vibration that is a combination of the above vibrations.

  In this case, the drive unit 41 generates a drive voltage Vo2 'by superimposing a signal having a frequency in the ultrasonic band on a signal having a frequency in the low frequency band (for example, 200 Hz). By applying the drive voltage Vo2 'to each vibration element 14, it is possible to give the panel 10 a vibration obtained by superimposing the vibration in the ultrasonic band on the vibration in the low frequency band. Then, the control device 20 changes the color of the icon 72 on the menu screen 65d of the display device 3 at the time t13 when the vibration of the panel 10 in the second vibration mode is completed, and confirms that the user has selected it. Inform. Alternatively, the control device 20 executes a function related to the icon 72.

  Thus, by giving the vibration which synthesized the vibration of the ultrasonic band and the vibration of the low frequency band to the panel 10, it is possible to give a click feeling while continuously giving the user U a feeling of being sucked.

  In the above-described example, the example in which the panel 10 is vibrated at a frequency in the low frequency band in the second vibration mode has been described. However, in the second vibration mode, vibration having a frequency lower than the ultrasonic band is applied to the panel 10. As long as it can be generated, the vibration is not limited to the vibration in the low frequency band.

  For example, in the second vibration mode, the drive unit 41 can vibrate the panel 10 with vibration in a high frequency band that is lower than the ultrasonic band and higher than the low frequency band. In this specification, a frequency band of 300 Hz or less is treated as a low frequency band, and a frequency of 300 Hz or more and less than 20 kHz is treated as a high frequency band. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the low frequency band may be a band having a frequency of 200 Hz or less.

  In the example described above, the drive unit 41 generates ultrasonic vibrations in the panel 10 in the first vibration mode. However, the drive unit 41 is not limited to this example, and the drive unit 41 has a frequency in a low frequency band or a high frequency band. The panel 10 can be vibrated at a high frequency by generating the drive voltage Vo1 and applying it to each vibration element 14. The drive unit 41 can also change the frequency of the first vibration mode and the frequency of the second vibration mode for each type of user operation.

  As described above, the control device 20 according to the embodiment drives the vibration element 14 when the user operation is detected by the operation detection unit 40, and the first vibration mode and the first vibration mode differing from each other at least partially. By switching between the two vibration modes, the panel 10 sequentially generates vibrations having different frequencies. Thereby, when the user U operates the operation surface 15 of the panel 10, vibrations of a plurality of different tactile sensations can be given to the user U according to the user operation, and the operational feeling given to the user U can be improved. .

  The above-described control of the drive unit 41 with respect to the panel 10 is a control in a fixed mode in which the time of each vibration mode is fixed. The time of each vibration mode can be changed according to the state. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of control in the variation mode for the panel 10 of the drive unit 41.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the user U performs a slide operation to the right after touching the position P <b> 0 on the operation surface 15 of the panel 10, as in the fixed mode, the operation detection unit 40 allows the user U to By moving the contact position in the right direction by a threshold value Dth or more, the user U detects a right sliding operation and notifies the control device 2 of first information indicating the right sliding operation. Furthermore, the operation detection unit 40 notifies the control device 2 of the second information including the contact position or the movement amount of the user U after detecting the slide operation to the operation surface 15.

  When the control device 2 receives the first and second information from the control device 20 of the input system 1, the menu screens 65 b to 65 d including the animation image in which the highlight frame 80 moves from the icon 71 to the icon 72 (see FIG. 7). Is displayed on the display device 3.

  Specifically, the control device 2 generates the menu screens 65b to 65d including animation images that change at a speed corresponding to the position or amount of movement of the user U on the operation surface 15 after the slide operation is detected. . Thereby, the menu screens 65b to 65d including the animation image in which the emphasis frame 80 moves from the icon 71 to the icon 72 at a speed according to the speed of the slide operation of the user U can be displayed on the display device 3.

  The drive unit 41 vibrates the panel 10 in the first vibration mode in synchronization with the animation image in which the emphasis frame 80 moves in a state where the slide operation in the right direction is continued beyond the threshold value Dth. Then, the drive unit 41 is based on the contact position or the movement amount detected by the operation detection unit 40 until the movement amount of the slide operation becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value Dth1 (the distance from the position P1 to the position P2 shown in FIG. 8). The panel 10 is vibrated in the first vibration mode. The threshold value Dth1 is a threshold value of the movement amount of the slide operation necessary for moving the emphasis frame 80 from the icon 71 to the icon 72, and is stored in the storage unit 21.

  The drive unit 41 vibrates the panel 10 in the second vibration mode when the movement amount of the slide operation is equal to or greater than the threshold value Dth1. Further, the control device 2 causes the display device 3 to display the menu screen 65d when the movement amount of the slide operation becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value Dth1.

  Thus, since the control device 20 continues the first vibration mode until the movement amount of the slide operation reaches the threshold value Dth1, the control device 20 can give the user U a tactile sensation that matches the speed of the slide operation of the user U. . Therefore, the operational feeling given to the user U can be further improved. Note that the vibration in the first vibration mode and the vibration in the second vibration mode in the variation mode are the same as in the fixed mode.

  For example, the fixed mode and the variable mode can be set in the storage unit 21 of the control device 20 via an input unit (not shown), and the drive unit 41 is based on the information stored in the storage unit 21, One of the variation modes can be selectively executed.

  Further, the control device 20 can selectively execute one of the fixed mode and the variation mode in response to a request from the control device 2. Thereby, for example, the fixed mode and the fluctuation mode can be switched according to the screen displayed on the display device 3.

  Further, the drive unit 41 executes the first vibration mode until a predetermined angle is rotated in the slide operation for moving the finger 50 so as to draw a circle on the operation surface 15 of the panel 10. Two vibration modes can be executed. By generating the predetermined angles at equal angular intervals, the user U can obtain a tactile sensation as if performing a dial operation of a safe or the like, and the operational feeling given to the user U can be improved.

  In addition, the drive unit 41 executes the first vibration mode during the slide operation, and then the user U performs a pressing operation on the operation surface 15 without releasing the contact with the operation surface 15 of the panel 10. In addition, the first vibration mode can be executed. Also by this, it is possible to make the user U feel a feeling of clicking and a feeling of clicking, and to improve the feeling of operation given to the user U.

  In addition, the drive unit 41 changes the first vibration mode to the first time when the user U is in contact with the operation surface 15 while maintaining the same position on the operation surface 15 and is in contact for the set time or longer. It is also possible to execute only the time T1, and then execute the second vibration mode only for the second time T2. Thus, the drive unit 41 can improve the operational feeling given to the user U by driving the vibration element 14 by switching between the first vibration mode and the second vibration mode in accordance with a user operation. it can.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, the electronic device system 100 may include a touch panel display in which the input unit 9 and the display device 3 are integrated. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the input unit 9 and the display device 3 in the electronic device system 100. As shown in FIG. 9, the display device 3 is arranged on the back surface of the panel 10, and the user U can see the screen displayed on the display device 3 through the panel 10.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the control device 2 and the control device 20 are configured separately, but the function of the control device 2 can be added to the control device 20. In this case, the control device 2 is connected to the input unit 9 and to the display device 3, and can display a screen corresponding to an operation on the input unit 9 on the display device 3.

<3. Processing by Control Device 20 of Input System 1>
Next, an example of the flow of processing executed by the control unit 22 of the control device 20 will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the control unit 22, and is a process that is repeatedly executed.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 22 determines whether or not the type of vibration mode set in the storage unit 21 is a fixed mode (step S20). When it is determined that the vibration mode type is the fixed mode (step S20; Yes), the control unit 22 determines whether there is a user operation (step S21). When determining that there is no user operation (step S21; No), the control unit 22 repeats the process of step S21.

  When it is determined that there is a user operation (step S21; Yes), the control unit 22 applies the drive voltage Vo1 to the vibration element 14 and causes the panel 10 to generate the first vibration mode for the first time T1 (step S21). S22). Thereafter, the control unit 22 applies the drive voltage Vo2 to the vibration element 14 for the second time T2, and causes the panel 10 to generate vibration in the second vibration mode for the second time T2 (step S23).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S20 that the type of vibration mode is the variation mode (step S20; No), the control unit 22 determines whether there is a user operation (step S24). When it is determined that there is a user operation (step S24; Yes), the control unit 22 applies the drive voltage Vo1 to the vibration element 14 to cause the panel 10 to vibrate for the first time T1 (step S25). On the other hand, the control part 22 repeats the process of step S24, when it determines with there being no user operation (step S24; No).

  After finishing the process of step S25, the control part 22 determines whether the moving amount | distance of user operation became more than threshold value Dth1 (step S26). When it is determined that the movement amount of the user operation is not equal to or greater than the threshold value Dth1 (step S26; No), the control unit 22 determines whether the user operation has ended (step S27).

  When it is determined in step S27 that the user operation has ended (step S27; Yes), the control unit 22 applies a zero drive voltage to the vibration element 14 to stop the vibration of the panel 10 (step S28). On the other hand, when it determines with the control part 22 not having complete | finished user operation in step S27 (step S27; No), it transfers a process to step S25.

  When the control unit 22 determines in step S26 that the movement amount of the user operation is equal to or greater than the threshold value Dth1 (step S26; Yes), the control unit 22 executes the process of step S23 described above. When the process of step S23 or the process of step S28 ends, the control unit 22 repeats the process from step S20.

  In the embodiment described above, the input unit 9 and the control device 20 have been described separately. However, the input system 1 may be an input device in which the input unit 9 and the control device 20 are integrally configured. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the input device 200 according to the embodiment.

  An input device 200 shown in FIG. 11 includes a panel 10, a vibration element 14, a storage unit 21, and a control unit 22. The input unit 9 and the control device 20 shown in FIG. is there. In this manner, an input device in which the input unit 9 and the control device 20 are integrated can be configured. In addition, the control apparatus 20 and the control apparatus 2 can also be integrated, and it can also be set as the structure which integrated the input system 1, the control apparatus 2, and the display apparatus 3. FIG.

  As described above, the control device 20 according to the embodiment drives the operation detection unit 40 that detects a user operation on the operation surface 15 of the panel 10 having the operation surface 15 and the vibration element 14 attached to the panel 10. And a drive unit 41 that generates vibration in the panel 10. When a user operation is detected by the operation detection unit 40, the drive unit 41 switches the first vibration mode and the second vibration mode in which at least some vibration frequencies are different from each other, and drives the vibration element 14. 10. At least some vibrations having different frequencies are sequentially generated. Thereby, the vibration of the several different tactile sensation can be given to the user U, and the operation feeling given to the user U can be improved.

  Further, the first vibration mode is a mode for causing the panel 10 to generate vibrations having a frequency in the ultrasonic band, and the second vibration mode is a mode for causing the panel to generate vibrations having a frequency band lower than the ultrasonic band. It is. The drive unit 41 drives the vibration element 14 in the second vibration mode after driving the vibration element 14 in the first vibration mode when a user operation is detected by the operation detection unit 40. Thereby, it is possible to give a click feeling to the user U after being inhaled.

  The first vibration mode is a mode for causing the panel 10 to generate vibrations having a frequency in the ultrasonic band. The second vibration mode is a vibration having a frequency in the ultrasonic band and a frequency band lower than the ultrasonic band. In this mode, the panel generates a vibration that is a combination of the above vibrations. The drive unit 41 drives the vibration element 14 in the second vibration mode after driving the vibration element 14 in the first vibration mode when a user operation is detected by the operation detection unit 40. Thereby, it is possible to give a click feeling to the user U after being inhaled.

  Further, when the user operation detected by the operation detection unit 40 is a slide operation, the drive unit 41 drives the vibration element 14 for a certain time (first time T1) in the first vibration mode, and then The vibration element 14 is driven in the second vibration mode. In this way, since the first vibration mode and the second vibration mode are switched at a fixed time, for example, the vibration mode can be switched without detecting the movement amount of the user operation or the like. Can reduce the processing load.

  In addition, when the user operation detected by the operation detection unit 40 is a slide operation, the drive unit 41 drives the vibration element 14 in the first vibration mode, and the amount of movement by the slide operation becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value Dth1. In the case, the vibration element 14 is driven in the second vibration mode. Thereby, the tactile sensation according to the speed of the user's U slide operation can be given to the user U, and the operational feeling given to the user U can be further improved.

  Further, the drive unit 41 makes the amplitude of the drive voltage Vo2 applied to the vibration element 14 in the second vibration mode higher than the amplitude of the drive voltage Vo1 applied to the vibration element 14 in the first vibration mode. Thereby, the vibration of the second vibration mode can be made larger than the vibration of the first vibration mode, and a different tactile sensation can be given to the user U by the difference in vibration amplitude in addition to the vibration frequency difference.

  Further effects and modifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. Thus, the broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input system 2,20 Control apparatus 3 Display apparatus 7 Icon 9 Input unit 10 Panel 13 Contact sensor 14 Vibrating element 15 Operation surface 21 Memory | storage part 22 Control part 30 Mode information 31 Time information 32 Operation determination information 40 Operation detection part 41 Drive part 100 electronic device system 200 input device

Claims (8)

An operation detection unit for detecting a user operation on the operation surface of the panel having the operation surface;
A drive unit that drives a vibration element attached to the panel to generate vibration in the panel, and
The drive unit is
When the operation is detected by the operation detection unit, the vibration element is driven by switching between the first vibration mode and the second vibration mode in which at least a part of vibration frequencies are different, and at least a part of the panel is applied to the panel. A control device that sequentially generates vibrations having different frequencies. The first vibration mode is a mode for causing the panel to vibrate at a frequency in the ultrasonic band,
The second vibration mode is a mode for causing the panel to generate vibration in a frequency band lower than the ultrasonic band,
The drive unit is
The said vibration element is driven in the said 2nd vibration mode after driving the said vibration element in the said 1st vibration mode when the said operation is detected by the said operation detection part. The control device described in 1. The first vibration mode is a mode for causing the panel to vibrate at a frequency in the ultrasonic band,
The second vibration mode is a mode for causing the panel to generate a vibration in which a vibration having a frequency in the ultrasonic band and a vibration having a frequency lower than the ultrasonic band are combined.
The drive unit is
The said vibration element is driven in the said 2nd vibration mode after driving the said vibration element in the said 1st vibration mode when the said operation is detected by the said operation detection part. The control device described in 1. The drive unit is
When the operation detected by the operation detection unit is a slide operation, the vibration element is driven for a certain time in the first vibration mode, and then the vibration element is driven in the second vibration mode. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The drive unit is
When the operation detected by the operation detection unit is a slide operation, the vibration element is driven in the first vibration mode, and when the amount of movement by the slide operation exceeds a threshold, the second The control device according to claim 4, wherein the vibration element is driven in the vibration mode. The drive unit is
The amplitude of the drive voltage applied to the vibration element in the second vibration mode is made higher than the amplitude of the drive voltage applied to the vibration element in the first vibration mode. The control device according to any one of the above. A panel having an operation surface;
A vibration element for vibrating the panel;
An operation detection unit for detecting a user operation on the operation surface;
When the operation is detected by the operation detection unit, the vibration element is driven by switching between the first vibration mode and the second vibration mode in which at least a part of vibration frequencies are different, and at least a part of the panel is applied to the panel. An input system comprising: a drive unit that sequentially generates vibrations having different frequencies. Detecting a user operation on the operation surface of the panel;
When an operation on the operation surface by the user is detected, the vibration element attached to the panel is driven by switching between the first vibration mode and the second vibration mode in which at least some vibration frequencies are different. And sequentially generating at least some vibrations having different frequencies on the panel.

Images